We have a plan!

Things are going to be kicking into high gear very soon!  I went to Shady Grove on Thursday for a mock embryo transfer and a fluid sonogram (which is NOT fun), and everything looks perfect.  No cysts on my ovaries, woohoo!

Yesterday I got an e-mail from Dana (my nurse) with the protocol for our cycle.  Looks like we will be starting injections in less than a month.  Somewhere around January 12th I turn into a human pin cushion.  So for all of you who have been through this with me before, be prepared for mood swings and unexplained crying fits.  For those of you who have never witnessed the hormonal me, please be patient!

I am having mixed feelings right now.  I am super excited to try again, but also scared at the same time.  Scared of failure, but even more scared of success then failure.

Minor Victory

At our consult with our doctor back in October, he told us that studies have shown that women with TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) that is on the high end of the normal range have an increased risk of miscarriage.  They did a blood test to check my levels, and low & behold...my level was in the high end of the normal range!  So I have been on thyroid meds for about a month now, and went back on Friday to have my TSH levels rechecked...they went from 4.4 to 1.4!!!! WOOHOO!  So I stay on the meds and hope this helps prevent another miscarriage.

I would love to stay and chat...but Justin Timberlake is on Ellen! Ta Ta for now!

Gee Thanks, I Never Thought of That

I am a very open person. I always have been, and especially so with our struggles with infertility. I feel that if my story can help someone just by me telling it, then why not? Most of the time people are genuinely curious about the process of IVF, as it can be a sort of taboo subject. It has also helped me connect with other women in a similar situation (rarely are stories of infertility the same)and create bonds that will be there forever. Through talking to other women who want to have a baby, there is one thing that rings true for just about everyone. The "fertile Myrtles" of the world that think they have a smidgen of an idea of what you are going through. The conversation usually goes something like this:

Myrtle "How long have you been married?"

Me "A little over 7 years."

Myrtle "Do you have any kids?"

Me "Not yet, hopefully soon though."

Myrtle "How long have you been trying?"

Me "About 6 1/2 years, we are currently doing IVF to try and get pregnant."

Myrtle "I didn't have to try at all with any of my kids. Just relax and it will happen."

Now I don't want to sound like a b-word, but if that is the advice you have to give me, please keep it to yourself. After all that we have been through to try and conceive, we are waaaay beyond the "just relax" point. I understand that Myrtle is only trying to help and probably doesn't really know what to say, but until you have been in my shoes, please do not tell me to relax. Trust me, if you have thought of it, I have probably tried it (and more than likely a few things that you haven't even heard of). I am more than happy to answer any questions or to accept any well wishes or even defend my choices if someone does not agree with them. But if you tell me to relax, my response will be "Gee thanks, I never thought of that!" along with an eye roll.

Here Goes Nothing!

My Momma always tells me that I should write about my experiences with our journey to have a baby.  So after 3 IUI's and 5 IVF's, I have decided that maybe she is right (as usual) and it would be kind of therapeutic for me to write.  I am not really certain where I should start, but I guess the beginning is as good a place as any.

I met the love of my life in 2000.  10 months later we moved in together, and on October 4, 2003 we got married.   We knew immediately that we wanted babies, so we soon started trying to conceive.  7 years later, still no baby.  I have gotten preggo twice through IVF, but miscarried both times.  And here we are, gearing up for IVF #6.  Sometimes I think I am crazy, but I can't help it...I need to be a mother.

So here goes nothing...I promise to be real, honest and share my journey with whoever wishes to read about it.  I am not the type of person to sugar coat things, so be prepared to hear the REAL story of a woman going through the trials and tribulations of trying to have a baby!